Thursday, December 4, 2008

Last night TD and I attended a cocktail party and fundraising event for Jackson Square, a little park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Thirteenth Street which has recently been cleaned up and spiffed up thanks to community involvement. Our friend Harlan Bratcher, the president of A/X Armani Exchange, has been key in revitalizing the park, and our friend Philip Monaghan was the chair of last night's event. And TD illustrated and designed the invitation!

What was once a messy crash pad for derelicts has been transformed with new plantings and a sprinkler system sponsored by A/X Armani Exchange (their offices are two blocks away), and Wi-Fi service for wireless access sponsored by Jackson Square Alliance, a community group formed to improve the park. The square will soon be laid with blue flagstone.

The event started in the park, with Christmas carols sung by the West Village Choral. Everyone gathered around the central fountain to hear comments by a few speakers including Parks Commissioner William Castro and City Council President Christine Quinn. We've heard Christine Quinn before, at Hillary Clinton events, and she's really great. When the speakers were finished, the fountain was lit, just like in TD's drawing.

Then everyone moved inside to 2 Horatio Street for cocktails in a spectacular duplex penthouse apartment with the biggest wrap-around terrace I've ever seen in Manhattan. Really amazing apartment. Waiters passed horsd'oeuvres from Cafe Cluny and wine from Manley's as a fire blazed in the fireplace. We saw Michael Malce and Jolie Kelter, who we lived next door to on Jane Street for fifteen years, and we met some new people. Nice group. Good cause. A warm feeling of community. From the terrace, facing south, the moon rose over the city, just like in TD's drawing.